The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

The Powerless Sorcerer (4)

***

“Whoooosh!”

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Darbav put his hand under the young lady’s side and lifted her into the air, like an airplane.

The young lady soared quite high.

“Huh…!”

She seemed to be enjoying herself.

I wanted to ask him to lift me too, but considering my age, I decided to keep such an impolite request to myself. Besides, I was taller than her.

The servants of the Wolfgang family bowed their heads the moment they saw Darbav’s face. Even though the family had fallen due to black magic, their influence hadn’t diminished in the slightest. Of course, not in a good way.

Their infamy had only grown, never lessened.

The Desmond family was the only one that could maintain itself while using black magic. In fact, many had cursed the emperor for giving them what was seen as a mere slap on the wrist.

“I greet the loyal servant of the Empire.”

“…”

Darbav didn’t recognize the elderly butler who bowed his head toward him. It seemed he neither remembered the family nor the man himself, ignoring them as if they were insignificant. More precisely, he didn’t realize the term ‘loyal servant’ was directed at him.

“Did you just address me?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“I see.”

Darbav nodded and carefully set the young lady down on the ground.

“Father!”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Those bastards killed my ice cream!”

“Hmm…”

Darbav nodded without hesitation. As expected from a family devoid of rational thinkers, Darbav readily agreed to anything he could do, and I straightened my shoulders proudly.

These were the people I served.

The Wolfgang family bowed their heads in unison.

“But that’s not the issue…”

Darbav stroked his chin, casting a cold smile as he looked at the eagle badge on the old man’s chest.

“Wolfgang, is it?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“The Wolfgang family that owns the western canal.”

“…”

“Seems like waterway trading is quite profitable. You can even bring the scent of the sea into the capital.”

“…As far as I know, the Desmond family also uses our canal. If you let this matter slide, I could speak to the Lord on your behalf…”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Darbav’s smile faded as he spoke in a low voice.

“Your family was the first to sever the contract when the black magic issue arose. Did the butler of a noble family not know that?”

“I misspoke. I apologize.”

“A servant daring to speak out of turn to a noble… Is that a common trait of western nobles?”

Darbav’s sharp words, naturally displaying his disdain for the nobility, made me mentally jot down notes on how to provoke them. It seemed that nobles only understood when you crushed them like this.

As expected, educated people are different.

For the first time, I regretted my own lack of education.

The young lady pointed her finger at the Wolfgang family’s child. The little one, who had slowly begun to grasp the situation, retracted his tongue and bowed his head.

Since the best way to resolve children’s fights is for adults to intervene, I proudly supported the Desmond family.

“Let’s settle this as a matter between families.”

“…Please, don’t.”

“This will serve as a good example to show that the Desmond family is still strong.”

“My Lord…!”

The price of ice cream turned out to be heavier than expected.

In a room devoid of light.

A young sorcerer, who had lost his magic, trembled in fear.

-Aaaaargh!!

“I’m of no help at all.”

-Do something… anything…!

“I…”

-You said you could see within yourself…

“I’m a liar.”

Ruin was broken.

A sorcerer who had nothing left but his pride, now powerless and consumed by fear. It wasn’t the overwhelming difference in magic that frightened him. That was something he could overcome with effort.

The reason Ruin trembled was simple.

He was disgusted with himself for being the first to flee, blending in among the very people he had looked down upon and despised.

Even Michail had fought with a sword.

Hanna had fought with a sword as well.

Even Yuria had rolled up her sleeves and thrown herself into the fray, tending to the wounded in the midst of the bloody battle.

And yet, I…

-Huff… Huff… I’m alive.

When the Tower Lord joined the fight, I had sighed in relief, thinking I was safe.

“What kind of genius of the Tower am I?”

“What kind of fire sorcerer am I?”

“A fool who can’t do anything but run away… How could I have been the top student in the magic academy?”

He felt stupid and pathetic. If there were a hole to crawl into, he would have hidden in it, so ashamed and angry he was.

“I…”

Once again, Ruin closed his eyes.

Even though it was a bright afternoon, Ruin had drawn the curtains and tried to sleep, but all that came to him were restless thoughts that kicked at his mind.

“Sigh…”

Ruin slowly got up and went outside. Maybe some fresh air would help ease his mood.

People around him would surely curse him, but he still had to live. Ruin dragged his heavy body toward the entrance.

-He froze.

His reflection appeared in the mirror.

The sharp jawline was gone, replaced by a dull face, and his once firm muscles had withered away.

“Haha… Damn.”

Ruin let out a hollow laugh as he ran his hand through his long, unkempt hair, looking at the wretched man in the mirror.

“Pathetic.”

In this state, no one would even treat him like a person.

Dark thoughts crossed his mind, but Ruin opened the door to his dorm room to fill his empty stomach.

-Sniffle.

“What the…”

From the next room, he heard the sound of someone sobbing. The voice echoed down the hallway, filled with sorrow, interrupted by the occasional cough.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Room 902 was Michail’s room.

Realizing the identity of the ghostly sobbing, Ruin let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.

“He’s not in his right mind either. It’s class time, yet he’s not attending. What is he doing?”

Not that I have any right to talk.

Ruin scratched the back of his head awkwardly, a faint smile on his lips. This academy was a mess.

Heretics.

A crazy butler.

Even a villainess who used black magic.

The academy was full of a fantastic combination of chaos, and Ruin cleared his throat as he shook his head. He no longer knew what to think.

“Maybe those guys were the real winners.”

He thought that perhaps the ones who had left the academy early were the true victors. If he had left and joined the Tower to study, things might not have turned out this way.

“Idiot.”

There was no point in regretting it now, so Ruin patted his swollen belly and let out a sigh.

“Let’s just eat. I’m hungry.”

The powerless sorcerer continued to fall apart.

***

Night had fallen on the mansion.

The young lady, who had reverted to her childlike self, had fallen asleep with the Lord for the first time in a while.

-Screech! Let go! I want to sleep with Ricardo!

-It’s been a while since you slept with your father, Olivia.

-Eww! You smell like a widower!

-I hadn’t thought of that.

-I can’t lie. If I lie, I’ll die from a disease.

-Isn’t that a lie?

-I’m dead.

-You’re dead, huh.

Kyle and Rosanna were sitting at the living room table, talking.

I had come down to get a drink of water and, seeing Kyle and Rosanna in their pajamas, I bowed my head. It had been a while since I’d seen them together. Holding a cup, I slowly walked toward them.

“It’s late. What are you two discussing so seriously?”

“Hehe… Just having a chat with my son after a long time.”

“…”

Kyle kept his lips tightly shut, staring at me. It seemed he wasn’t pleased with the uninvited guest who had interrupted the rare conversation between mother and son. His sharp gaze made me smile awkwardly.

“Ricardo, would you like to sit with us and chat?”

Rosanna smiled warmly, lightly tapping the chair next to her. I walked over with a smile. After all, Rosanna was the true backbone of the family. She was more important than the future Lord.

“Shall I make you some tea?”

“No need.”

“Then, how about some light refreshments?”

“Oh my… Such good manners. Already trying to score points with your future mother-in-law.”

“Haha…”

“As long as you treat my child like the most precious thing, you’re already accepted. Even if you bring in another wife, I’ll understand, so don’t worry.”

Her words made me unable to lift my head. I was secretly impressed by the way nobles spoke. Of course, my daughter would only have one husband, but still.

I couldn’t help it. I was determined to live as a selfish father.

Rosanna smiled softly and spoke to me as I sat in the chair.

“Actually, it’s perfect timing. We were just talking about you.”

“About me?”

“Yes~ We were talking about our capable butler.”

“Were you badmouthing me? I haven’t taken everything from the family yet, so it’s too early for me to leave.”

“Hahaha!! What’s left to take? Take it all! Take our daughter too.”

“Haha…”

Kyle remained silent, staring down at his teacup. He didn’t show any signs of displeasure, just quietly gazing at the cup without saying a word.

‘Were they having a serious conversation?’

Even though Kyle was usually quiet, he wasn’t the type to ignore such jokes.

The awkward atmosphere lingered for a moment. Rosanna smiled softly and spoke again.

With a heavy smile.

In her usual tone.

“So, Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you stop?”

Rosanna’s sudden suggestion to resign froze me in place.

“Excuse me? What do you mean by that?”

Rosanna wiped the smile from her face and spoke.

“Kyle told me.”

Rosanna gripped her teacup tightly.

“That you’ve been healing Olivia’s legs, damaging your own body in the process.”

“…”

“That you’ve been coughing up blood.”

“…”

“That you could barely walk.”

I responded in a calm voice, relieved that she wasn’t asking me to quit my position as a butler.

“It’s fine. It’s not black magic, and it won’t harm the family…”

“Do you think I’m telling you to stop just because of that?”

“…”

“The family can be rebuilt. If it falls, we can move to another country.”

“…”

“You’re going to die.”

I firmly expressed my unwavering resolve to Rosanna’s warning.

“I’m almost there.”

Truly.

“I have no intention of giving up.”

Rosanna’s expression began to harden.

End of Chapter